INDIANAPOLIS — Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard considers the linebacker position to be one of most important.
As a former NFL linebacker, Sheppard knows the position is the crux of the defense, sitting in the middle between the defensive line and secondary.
"That's why I always viewed it as one of the most important on the football field as far as defense is concerned because you're in the middle of both," Sheppard said Tuesday at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. "You have to have, really, knowledge of the back end with the pass game and also, obviously, the run game's in the front structure of everything and how it all ties together.
"So kind of meeting in the middle of that and understanding how it all works together, how not just trying to get after the quarterback is always the right thing to do, or you have to pick and choose, and just how those things complement each other."
Sheppard's now at his first Combine as defensive coordinator after being promoted from linebackers coach, and will have a chance to evaluate the LB class, which has prospects like Jihaad Campbell (Alabama), Jalon Walker (Georgia), Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) and others. The linebackers begin on-field drills Thursday.
When evaluating prospects, Sheppard knows versatility and possessing a vast skillset are important, but he's also learned the difference of finding prospects that are okay in many areas vs. excelling in one.
"I also don't want to get caught up in a guy that could do a bunch of things okay, not one thing great" Sheppard said. "That's something I've learned, because you have a bunch of those guys, and that's too many, and then that's where you fall into deficiencies at certain spots."
The Lions' need at linebacker could depend on what happens in free agency. Derrick Barnes, Ben Niemann and Ezekiel Turner are set to be unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins on March 12. Anthony Pittman (restricted) and Trevor Nowaske (exclusive rights) will be free agents as well.
General manager Brad Holmes made it clear Detroit prioritizes finding the right player, rather than filling position groups.
"We're not a needs-based drafting team," Holmes said. "We just get the best football player for us so we don't really get too fixated on positions."
The Lions return starting linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell.
Jay Higgins, who overlapped with Campbell at Iowa, praised the Lions' MIKE when speaking to the media at the Combine Wednesday. Higgins said Campbell took him under his wing with the Hawkeyes, teaching him how to excel in the position.
"I learned just how to operate, how to carry myself, what a leader looks like, what a MIKE backer in Iowa looks like," Higgins said. "I'm really appreciative of him."
Sheppard mentioned the importance of understanding the pass game at linebacker specifically, and several linebacker prospects said they're confident in their coverage skills, which was an area Detroit struggled with when Anzalone missed six games with a broken forearm.
"I think every part of my game has aspects that need improvement, but I view as one of my strengths (is) dropping into man coverage," UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger said Wednesday. Schwesinger recorded 136 tackles, four sacks, four passes defended and two interceptions for the Bruins this season.
Higgins said the ability to cover increases a linebacker's value while still being a strong tackler to stay in the game for all downs. Across the past two seasons, Higgins notched 125 tackles, three sacks and five interceptions, four of which came in the 2024 season.
"The NFL is moving to a passing league," Higgins said. "If you're a linebacker that can't cover, they'll just put a defensive back in. These defensive backs are getting bigger and bigger, so it's really important to show the teams that you can have value."
Some prospects, like Walker, find their personal value in their versatility, saying Wednesday 'being on the field' is his favorite position. There's been debate whether to use him at linebacker, EDGE or off-ball, but Walker feels that's his advantage. It gives him comfort that opponents don't know what will be next.
In 43 career games at Georgia, Walker had 89 tackles, 12.5 sacks and three passes defended and is considered one of the best linebacker prospects in the class.
"You're not going to find a lot of guys that will be at four positions in one series," Walker said. "That makes me the different chess piece that no one else can compare to."
Alabama's Jihaad Campbell, who's also considered to be one of most versatile players in the class, said he's the 'Mr. Do It All' player teams will want. In 2024, Campbell recorded 117 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles.
Teams have spoken to him about playing the SAM, MIKE or WILL spots, according to Campbell. He also mentioned the deep dropper role in Tampa 2 coverage as his favorite coverage because opponents don't think he can cover receivers downfield.
There's a lot of linebacker talent for Holmes, head coach Dan Campbell, Sheppard and Co. to evaluate and with the attrition suffered at the position with Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez's season-ending injuries and Anzalone's missed games, the Lions contingent knows depth is beneficial.
It's a players-first mindset when it comes to constructing this roster in free agency and the draft, and that's why Sheppard wants to build the defensive scheme with his players, not build a roster based on a scheme. And that's very applicable to this class of linebackers.
"A lot of people get caught up in, 'What scheme are you going to run? What type of guru stuff are you going to draw up?' And I think that's where you could make a mistake," Sheppard said. "It's about the players first.
"Seeing the roster that Brad puts in place, which again, full trust. I'm excited. I can't wait till we get through this free agency and draft process because I know I'm going to have more than capable guys to work with."
